THE FIRST OF AUGUST IN JAMAICA.

Hail thou sweet and welcome day;
     Let the Angels join the lay,
     And help us swell the anthems high.
Tune all your golden harps once more,
And strike to notes ne'er struck before.
     Yea let the morning's zephyr breeze
     Bear the echo o'er the seas;
     Let all the islands bond and free
     Proclaim Jamaica's liberty,
And while we praise the God most high
Who rules the heavens, the earth and sky,
Let the Queen Victoria honored be
As mother of our liberty.

To day we gladly congregate,
A happy bandto celebrate,
     The day we rose from slavery's tomb.
Our clanking chains no moreare heard;
Our limbs no more by fetters scared;
     Our backs no more are drenched with blood;
     Our tears have ceased our cheeks to flood;
     Our wives and children, all so dear
     Are bowed around the altar here.
     May Haiti gladly catch the gale;
And Puerto Rico tell the tale;
Let the Atlantics dancing spray
Salute this new-born happy day.

The knee with sacred awe we bend,
With melting hearts once more to spend
     This day in free, unfettered praise,
Our thanks belong to God alone,
For he this mighty work has done.
He saw the Tyrant wield the lash;
He counted every bleeding gash;
He heard our childrenbeg for bread
Which o'er our master's table spread.
     He it was who heard our groans
     Which rose before the Eternal Throne;
     Our scalding tears in silence shed
     Were coats of fire upon his head,

Wake the psaltry, lute and lyre,
And let us set the world on fire.
     And may Jehovah blow the flame
Till all mankind shall see the light
Of knowledge; liberty and right!
     Our hands are clear of human blood;
     We bought our liberty from God.
     Love, joy and peace are now combined
     With freedom's golden chain entwined,
Firm united we stand
A happy free and social band;
Each brother feel his brother's care,
And each his brother's burthen bear.